Investigation of Pulping Potentials of Waste from Conversion of Anogeissus leiocarpus

Abstract

Enormous waste is generated during conversion of wood. This study investigated the pulping potentials of waste from Anogeissus leiocarpus. Fibre dimensions of. shavings, splinters and dust from the wood were determined. Mean fibre length ranged from 1.1mm in splinters to 0.3mm with potentials for bulk smoothness and opacity.. Runkel ratio obtained for splinters, shavings and sawdust was 0.851, 0.785, and 0.686 respectively while flexibility was 54.8%, 52.9% and 60.9% respectively. Both shavings and sawdust had favourable felting power. Waste of Anogeissus leiocarpus proved to be an alternative source of raw material for pulp and paper industries due its appreciable fibre length, readily collapsible fibre with runkel ratio that is below 1. It could be mixed with other pulpwood with high fibre length to produce quality paper grade.